Beach ball referee Jones faces the axe

London, Oct.19 (ANI): Referee Mike Jones is likely to be bounced off this weekend's match list for his beach ball clanger at Sunderland.

The Cheshire referee allowed Darren Bent's winner against Liverpool to stand after it cannoned in off a red beachball thrown on to the pitch by a young Kop fan.

But the effort should have been chalked off and the match stopped.

Jones, 41, in his second League season, will be asked to explain his actions - as will his three assistants - after all appeared unsure about the rules.

According to FIFA's laws, the goal should have been disallowed because of 'outside interference'.

The Sun says that Jones can be hammered when the Professional Game Match Officials board meets today. (ANI)